F 

M^3 



l^ 

V 



35Bi 



iicuJ^db, 18)1. 




Class. 
Book- 



FA51 



•y -2 



£Bib 



I 



il 



- /I 7 ti/<^^^' / / 

33 y 



A 



SERMON, 

OCCASIONED .^ .-I _^ 



»Y THE EXPECTED REMOVAL OF A NUMBER Of" FAMILIES TO 



NEW CONNECTICUT: 



AT WHICH TIME, 



A PART OF THEIR XUMBER WAS FORMED INTO A 



GOSPEL CHURCH; 



APRIL 3, 1811. 



/. 



BY JOEL BAKER, A. M. 

HINISTKIt OF THE MIDDLE PARISH, CBANTILLB. 



Jpartforti : 



PRINTED BY iiUO ON AND GOODWIN. 
1811. 



F~ .'V'1 'I 



35 B \i 



TO 

THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE REMOVING FROM 

GRANVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, 

TO CHARLESTOWN, STATE OF OHIO ; 

THE FOLLOWING SERMON, 

TO WHOM IT WAS PREACHED, AND 

AT WHOSE REQUEST IT IS PUBLISHED, 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED ; 

BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE 

FRIEND AND BROTHER, 

JOEL BAKER. 



THE DIVINE PRESENCE NECESSARY, 



FOR THE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT OP 



CHRISTIAN TRAVELLERS. 



EXODUS xxxiii. 15. 
If thy presence go not loith me, carry tis not up hence. 

J. HE life of man is one continued journey, from the 
cradle to the grave. When the children of Israel came 
out of Egypt, they travelled three months, and came to 
Mount Sinai, in the wilderness, where they encamped 
many days, to receive instruction from the Lord, by 
the hand of Moses. Here they provoked God, to 
destroy many of them, by making and worshipping the 
golden calf. At this time, Moses was greatly distres- 
sed for the people ; and as their leader, he sensibly felt 
liis need of the divine presence. Accordingly, he \vafi 
disposed to make earnest supplication to God for his 
blessing and direction. Though Moses and the Isra- 
elites were now in a waste, howling wilderness, bound 
for Canaan, of which land many good things had been 
said, to increase their desire for it ; yet it seems Moses 
chose to live and die with God in that wilderness, rath- 
er than go up to that good land, without God's gracious 
presence. " If thy presence go not with me, carry us 
not up hence." 

The plain, important proposition, from the text, is 
this : God's gracious presence is desirable and neces- 
sary, to direct and prosper us, in the journey of life. 
I will 



4 SERMON. 

I. Show our need of God's presence. 

II. The means we are to use to obtain it. 

III. When we may be said to have the presence of 
God. 

IV. Point out some of the blessed effects of it. 

1. Under the first head, we remark, first, God's pres- 
ence is needful for us, because we have neither wisdom, 
nor ability, to plan and execute for ourselves. 

A man, left to his own direction, in this changing 
world, would be like a ship, in a storm, wiihout helm or 
compass. " It is not in man that walketh, to direct his 
steps. The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole dis- 
posing thereof is of the Lord." With all our activit)-, 
and resolution, to carry on and accomplish our worldly 
schem.es, we are wholly dependent on the blessing of 
God, to enable us to bring them to pass. " Without 
me" sa}s the Saviour, " ye can donothirg." This is 
true in temporal, as well as in spiritual concerns. We 
can never expect to prosper, when God does not smile 
upon our undertakings. 

How many, notwithstanding, seem to go on their 
journey in life, unmindful of any superiniending prov- 
idence ? If such persons are suffered to pro^^per for a 
time in this world, there is this bitter ingredient in their 
cup of blessings; they are receiving their good things 
in this life, but everlasting soriows av.ait ihem in the 
world to come. 

2. We need the divine direction tliroiigli life, be- 
cause we are strongly inclined to walk iii forbidden 
paths. 

We learn by experience, and the word of God, tliai 
somelhing more than bible rules, and common grace, 
is necessary to keep men from the iove and practice of 



^ 



i 



SEKMON. 



sin, and bii.g them to tlie love of the truth. Not- 
withstimding all the i!p:ht Vvdiich siiiners can possibly 
have, Without restraining grace, thiy would never 
break off from one sinful practice, nor be disposed to 
keep one of God's commandment:",. 

Neither is common grace sufficient, to lead real 
christians in the path of duty, and save them from sin- 
ful practices. JVioses m.anifests a full conviction of 
this truth, by that memorable prayer in my text. He 
docs not barely ask for the common and ordinary bles- 
sings of providence, to attend him. in his journey, but he 
pleads for the gracious, comforting and supporting pres- 
ence of God. That this was the irvport of Moses' 
prayer, is very evident. God had, before this, been 
wonderfully present ^ith RIoses and llie Israelites, ev- 
er since they came out of Egypt, by the pillar of cloud 
by day, imd of fire by night. Moses must therefore 
have asked something more ; and it is certain he ob- 
tained his request. (Verse 14) " And he said, my 
presence shall go with thee, and 1 will give thee peace." 

3. We need the divine presence, to support and 
com.fort us, under the trials of life. 

Go where Vv'e v>ill, follow whatever employm.cnt in 
life, crosses "and disappointments Vi'ill attend us. The 
gracious presence of God is an unfailing support, un- 
der all the necessary evils of life. It will serA^e to 
smooth the rugged path of life, and to fortify the mi'id. 
against approaching evils. When God engages for a 
people, they have nothing to fear. Under his direction, 




,,, ^ pcop_. 

God for their portion, li they are brought into great 
diificulties and troubles, they can say y/nh the Aptjstle, 
" Our light affliction, vrhich is but for a momer.t, work- 
eth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory." x'^nd if enemies beset them aroimd on every 
side, they may say vrith the Psalmist, " TJic Lord is my 



6 SERMON. 

liglit and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? The Lord 
is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be afraid ?" 

II. We are to inquire what means are to be used to 
obtain the gracious presence of God. 

The principal, and most effectual mean of obtaining 
the divine presence, is earnest humble prayer to God. 
All temporal and spiritual mercies flow down to the 
children of men, through this channel. But how does 
it appeal-, that prayer is the most effectual mean of pro- 
curing the divine presence ? 

1. Because it is of divine appointment. 

When God is about to bestow favors, he will first be 
sought unto by his people, to do it for them ; Ezekiel 
xxxvi. 37. He does not grant blessings for our pray- 
ers ; nor will he bestow them without our prayers. 
The wisdom and goodness of God are wonderfully 
manifested, by giving such things as we need, in ans- 
v^er to prayer : — His wisdom in bringing us to ac- 
knowledge the hand of the Author : — His goodness 
in preparing our minds to value the gift. Though 
God perfectly knows all our wants, and has determined 
beforeliand, ^^4lat mercies to grant ; yet he has also de- 
termined to make us sensible of our need of mercy, and 
humbly to ask for it, before he bestows it upon us. 
What if God has decreed whatsoever comes to pass ? 
The decrees of God do not exclude second causes, nor 
render our prayers unavailing. 

2. Prayer is the most effectual mean of obtaining the 
gracious "presence of God, because it supposes that 
temper of mind which is necessary to the reception 
of it. 

One important part of prayer to God, is confession 
of sin ; it must therefore imply a sense of unworthiness, 
and a desire to be delivered from sin, and made holy. 
And these are the very persons whom God delightetli 



SERMON. 7 

to honor with his holy presence, and supporting grace ; 
Isaiah Ixvi. 2. " But to this man will 1 look, even to 
him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit," &.c. The 
children of God sensibly feel their constant need of di- 
vine grace, to keep them from falling. It is well 
known, that every place, and every company has its 
snai'es and allurements. Hence the importance of com- 
mitting ourselves, and all our concerns, into the hands 
of God, by prayer every day. And especially when 
called to pass through new and untried scenes, to bid 
farewell to our native land, and to go with our families 
to a new and distant country : at such seasons, it is pe- 
culiarly proper, and a binding duty to pray for the gra- 
cious and supporting presence of God. 

3. Prayer is the most effectual mean of obtainmg 
this blessing, as it supposes a feeling sense of depend- 
ence on God. 

There is nothing stands so nearly connected with 
promised blessings, as an humble resignation to the 
will of God. Psalm xxxvii. " Trust in the Lord, and 
do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily 
thou shalt be fed. — Delight thyself also in the Lord, 
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Com- 
mit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he 
shall bring it to pass." We have no right to enter 
upon any undertaking, however flattering the prospect, 
without first asking counsel of the Lord. 

Those who live unmindful of the providence of God, 
who pass along through the journey of life in a heed- 
less manner, without feeling their dependence on the 
blessing of God, ought carefully to read and seriously 
to apply the words of the apostle James : " Go to, now, 
ye that say, to day, or^'to-morrow, we will go into such 
a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and 
get gain ; whereas ye know not what will be on the 
morrow," &c. We have an excellent example of 
humble dependence and prayer to God for temporal 
blessings, in Abraham's servant, when on his journey 



8 SJERMON, 

to Mesopotamia ; Gen. xxiv. 12. " O Lord God of 
my master, Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed 
this day," &c. In this prayer he fidly acknowledges 
the sovereignty of providence, and his dependence iifu 
on the divine blessing, in all his ways. iq 

III. When may a people be said to have the gri 
cioLis presence of God v/ith them ? 

\li 

1. When they live near to God. . u 

2. Chron. xv. 2. " The Lord is with you, while ye 
be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of- 
you, but if ye forsake him, he will cast you off forever. '*= 
Do you ask the wiy to live near to God ? Strive to^^ 
honor and obey him, by endeavoring to walk in the - 
light of his holy word. In this way you will be cer- 
tain to obtain the honor and love of God. 1. Sam. ii. 
30. " Them that honor me, I will honor, but they that 
despise me shall be lightly esteemed." 

2. They may be said to have the presence of God 
wjth them, Mdio are engaged to do all the good they can. 

Mankind are capable of exercising benevolent af- 
fection, and of doing real good in the world. When 
true benevolence reigns in the heart, it will carry men 
above the narrow bounds of selfishness ; even to deny 
themselves, and to make great worldly sacrifices for 
the sake of advancing the cause of Christ. By this, 
some godly ministers, and other serious christians, 
when called to enter into the field of missionary labor, 
have been vvilling to break up all worldly connections, 
and leave their native country, to spend their lives in 
the wilderness, among heathen nations. And if it can 
be made to appear, that the good of Christ's kingdom 
calls for the present rapid settlement of the western 
world ; why ought not the people of God in every 
place, to feel willing to go themselves, and to encour- 
age others, notwithstanding ail the sacrifices they must 
make, and the inconveniences they must experience. 



SERMON. 9 

Let it be first determined, in what part of the world we 
can do the most good, thither we may go, with as 
much safety, and with as great assurance of the divine 

presence, as Israel could follow the pillar of cloud by 

day, and of fire by night. 

3. \ye may be sure to have the divine presence in 
dl our journeyings through life, when the glory of God 
is our chief end. 

If God made his own glory his chief end, in all his 
works, it is highly reasonable we should have this our 
leading object in all we do. It is not enough for us to 
aim at God's glory in some of the high acts of religion, 
and to be regardless of it in every thing else. I'he 
Apostle brings it down to small actions, and makes it 
necessary in every thing. " \^'hether ye eat or drink 
or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." It 
may be lawful for us to plan and execute our worldly 
business, to pursue our own lawful callings, and even 
to change our earthly property and place of residence, 
as convenience or necessity may reouire. But we 
have no right to any of these things without first con- 
sulting the mind 'dnd will of God. And if we find on 
examination, that our proposed undertakings will not 
be most for God's glory, we ought to be willing to re- 
linquish them, however flattering the prospect of 
worldly gain. * i 

^^'f^u^^ "^ ^^^ ^ moment meditate upon the happy 
state ot those who have the divine presence with them 
through the journey of life. 

1. It will tend to make us walk softly, and examine 
seriously what we are about to undertake. 

Those who aim to live constandv under the eye of 
God will be careful to walk by the light of his holy 
word, and to look to him at all times for direction and 
support. If they are called to transact important bu- 
siness, and to remove from place to place for the better 
2 



10 SERMON. 

accommodation of themselves and families," they will 
feel and express themselves as Moses did ; " If thy 
presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." 

2. The gracious presence of God aflbrds comforta- 
ble evidence of the pardon of sin, and of reconciliation 
to God. 

And what can be more desirable than a well ground- 
ed hope and spiritual evidence that our sins are wash- 
ed away, through the blood of Christ ? The happiness 
of both worlds depends upon this. Psalm xxxii. 
" Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, 
whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom 
the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit 
there is no guile." 

3. The divine presence will reconcile us to the lot 
of providence. 

While passing along the journey of life, we may ex- 
pect to meet with many changes. Some of these will el- 
evate the mind in expectation of future scenes of pros- 
peritv ; but others again, will seem to cast a gloom 
upon all worldly prospects. In both these cases Ave 
need the divine presence, to enable us to bear prosper- 
ity and adversity with an equal mind. How miserable 
must be the condition of those who are brought into 
great trials, without the presences of God to support 
them ? Hear the bitter lamentation of king Saul ; 
" And he said, I am sore distressed, for the Philistines 
make war against me, ar.d God is departed from me, 
and answereth me no more." But how very different 
the language of king David, wh.o lived near to God, 
and was blessed widi the divine presence: "The 
Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall 1 fear ? 
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I 
be afraid V 

4. The presence of God gives peace of mind in life 
smd in death. 



SIRMON. 11 

The greatest misery attending mankind in this or a 
future world, is self condemnation. " There is no 
peace, saith m}' God, to the wicked." Their way is 
hard and difficult, because it is against the light of rea- 
son, and the dictates of their own consciences. "A 
wounded spirit who can bear." But look at those 
who have become reconciled to God, to whom God 
has granted his holy Spirit and blessed presence. 
They have that peace of mind, which the world can 
neither give r.or take a^vay. " Great peace have they 
that love the Lord, and nothing shall offend them. 
The work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the 
effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. 
They that trust in the Lord, shall be as mount Zion, 
which cannot be moved. They shall moimt up with 
Avings, as eagles ; they shall run, and not be ^weary ; 
and they shall walk, and not faint." Such confidence 
in God supported Moses under all his trials. In an- 
swer to his prayer, God had promised his gracious 
presence, to go with him ; hence we may conclude, 
Moses never had occasion to repent of his undertaking 
to lead Israel into Canaan, though he wandered about 
forty years in the ^vilderness, and died at last, short of 
the promised land. He lived and died v*-ith God : this 
was all his salvation, and all his desire. Psalm xxxvii. 
37. " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 
for the end of that man is peace." 

IMPROVEMENT. 

Inference 1. If Vvt have so much need of the pres- 
ence of God, to direct and prosper us in all the jour- 
ney ings of life ; how must they stand reproved, who 
depend on human wisdom for direction, to the neglect 
of divine providence ? 

Are there not many among us, who set out, and feel 
confident of success in worldly lousiness, without any 
regard to the governing providence of God ? Alas ! 
how few attentively consider that solemn truth, Eccle. 
ix. 1. " The righteous and the wise and their works 



12 



SiRMON. 



are in the hands of God." Inconsiderate nien often 
enter upon the business -. f life without consulting the 
mind and will of God. Their conduct shows a wish to 
be independent, and a resolution to stand accountable 
to no other being in the universe, but to themselves. 
All such vain confidence will, in the end, produce sor- 
row and vexation of spirit. " For he who exalteth him- 
self shall be abased." Let those who boast of human 
wisdom, and refuse submission to the government of 
God, remember, that their wisdom will fail them when 
they are in perishing need of help. And what will 
greatly aggravate their misery, " God will laugh at 
their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh." 

Inference^ If prayer is the most effectual means 
of obtaining the divine presence, what shall we think 
of those who live in the neglect of this great duty ? Can 
they hope to be succeeded in their lawful undertak- 
ings ? 

There are some who seem to make wise calculations 
for this world, and are careful to do every thing else 
to make the journey of life prosperous ; and yet they 
neglect this one thing needful. With those of this 
character, God cannot be well pleased ; nor has he 
given any encouragement in his word, that he will 
bless and prosper them. All God's promised bless- 
ings are given in answer to prayer. The Apostle? and 
primitive christians believed this, and practised accor- 
dingly. When they were called to travel into distant 
parts, and leave their brethren, it was their practice to 
assemble and pray for the divine blessing upon each 
other before they separated. Thus when Paul was 
about to sail from Tyre to Jerusalem, the brethren all 
assembled with their whole families, to take their leave 
of each other; Acts xxi. 5. "And wc kneeled down 
on the shore and prayed. And when we had taken 
our leave one of another, we took ship, and they re- 
turned home again." 



S£RMON. 13 

Inference 3. If all our worldly prosperity depends 
upon Go<.l's blessing, how unreasonable is it to be 
proud ol what we possess ? 

If God is the giver of all our mercies, why should 
we glory in these things, as though they were the ef- 
fects of our superior wisdom ? It is a mark of great 
weakness, to see pride and haughtiness of spirit arise 
with men, in proportion as their worldly prospects in- 
crease. 'Inhere are some Avho need a double share of 
grace, to keep them humble in the days of prosperity. 
We are taught by long experience, that it is as difficult 
for men to be humble m prosperity, as to be cheerful 
in adversity. Riches are a snare ; poverty is a snare ; 
but a competency is desirable. For this we may pray 
as Agur did, " Give me neither poverty nor riches ; 
feed me with food convenient for me ; lest I be full 
and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord ? or lest I be 
poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." 

The heart of good Hezekiah was lifted up with pride, 
because the Lord had blessed him, and multiplied his 
earthly treasures. This appears from his taking so 
much pains to show to the servants of the king of 
Babylon, all the riches and ornaments of his house. 
But while he was thus acting out the pride of his heart, 
God was preparing for him that sorrowful message, by 
the prophet Isaiah, 2. Kings, xx. 17. " Behold the days 
come, that all that is in thine house, and that which 
thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be 
carried into Babylon : nothing shall be left, saith the 
Lord." If therefore, you wish to possess and enjoy 
the good things of this Avorld, indulge not pride, nor vain 
glory, but remember the fashion of this world passeth 
away. 

Inference 4. If we need the divine presence and 
blessing, in all the common concerns of life, it must be 
peculiarly needful for those who are entering upon new 
and difficult undertakings. Esj^ecially for those who 



14 SERMON. 

expect shortly to remove with their families, from this 
to a far distant country. 

My brethren and friends, your present undertaking 
is of no small importance, to you, and your families, and 
to succeeding generations. Both your temporal and 
spiritual interest are involved in this enterprise. As it 
respects those relations and friends, whom you expect 
to leave behind, j^our removal will be like death, to 
cut off all hopes of future social enjoyment. But if the 
door of Providence is open for your removal, we have 
no \vish to discourage you, by holding to view all the 
difficulties and disappointments you may meet with. 
We trust your journey will not be forty years in the 
wilderness. Nor will you probably meet with so many 
powerful enemies as the children of Israel did in their 
journey to the promised land. But for your encour- 
agement, be assured, if the presence of God be with 
you, though the Egyptians should pursue after you, 
and all the inhabitants of the land should rise up 
against you, they would fall before you. " If God be 
for us, who can be against us ?" We are highly pleas- 
ed with your present resolutions to follow the footsteps 
of Providence. And we are also satisfied with the 
methods you have taken to be embodied into a distinct 
Gospel Church this day. Is not this the way to hope 
for the blessing of God to attend you on your journey, 
and in your new setdement ? We trust you will attend 
to the exhortation of St. Paul to Timothy, " Hold fast 
the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, 
in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Being 
formed into a church, before you remove from us, will 
give you more freedem to admonish and watch over 
each other. It will have a tendency to renew and in- 
crease your sense of dependence on God. And it may, 
in the Providence of God, prepare the way for you the 
sooner to partake of christian ordinances in your new 
settlement. Our prayer to God for you is that you 
may carry religion in name and in reality. You may 
be sensible that the habits which are first carried into a 
town, will establish the character of the place for many 



SERMON. 15 

years. If, therefore, you wish to do good in the world, 
to yourselves and to succeeding generations, see that 
you begin to li\'e conformably to the rules of that holy 
religion you profess. Carefully guard yourselves against 
temptation — See that you neglect not the education 
of your children — Let them remember their Creator 
in the days of their youth — Remember the sabbath to 
keep it holy in all your journey ings, and in all your 
dwellings. And if the Lord should carry you up safe- 
ly to the good land, in prospect, let it be your first bu- 
siness to erect altars for prayer and praise to God. Be 
always ready to assemble for social prayer — Think not 
to excuse yourselves because your number is small. 
" Where two or thi'ee are met together in Christ's 
name he will be in the midst of them, and bless them." 
You must expect for a time to live destitute of the 
stated ministration of God's word. But you will feel 
obligated to strive earnestly for the early settlement of 
gospel ordinances among you. We trust you will be 
much in prayer to God, for the outpouring of his spirit, 
and for the enlargement of his kingdom ; that you will 
cultivate christian unity, and brotherly love, " Giving 
diligence to make your calling and election sure : for 
if ye do these things ye shall never fall. For so an en- 
terance shall be ministered unto you, abundantly, into 
the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ." 

AMEN. 



?i 



